Cathedral hosts Passion Play on Good Friday

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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On Good Friday this year, the Cathedral of the Madeleine offered a Passion Play for the first time, presented by the parents of the parish's religious education students.

SALT LAKE CITY — This year for the first time, the Cathedral of the Madeleine presented a live representation of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday.

This was possible thanks to the participation of parents of children in the cathedral’s religious education classes. It came about after a discussion among some of the cathedral’s clergy about how to increase the participation of the faithful in Holy Week activities.

“After the pandemic the participation of the community in the cathedral went down drastically,” said Deacon Guillermo Mendez, who ministers there.

As a result of the discussion with Fr. Martin Diaz, the cathedral rector, and Fr. Alfredo Garcia, parochial vicar, “I thought about asking the parents of the kids that are going to catechism to participate in the representation of the Lord’s Passion,” Deacon Mendez said.

About 25 parents volunteered, so the deacon looked for people who could prepare the play, rehearse and direct it. Martín and Charo Alcocer and Raul and Lily Chavez helped with this endeavor.

The representation was adapted from John 18: 1-19, and was presented in Spanish. For three months, the Alcocers and Chavezes designed and ordered costumes, built the set and rehearsed with the participants, which by the end numbered more than 40.

“It was very gratifying to see that for months when people got out of their jobs, they went directly to rehearse the play,” said Martín Alcocer, who was the narrator for the Passion.

Each of the participants was very committed and attentive to all the instructions, “and they also participated with ideas, and that totally enriched the presentation,” Alcocer said.

On Good Friday the representation of the Passion of Christ took place inside the cathedral with a live audience.

“It was very uplifting and humbling to see how everyone participated, putting their best effort into making the representation a reality,” Deacon Mendez said, adding that he could see how the Holy Spirit was present.

“You could feel him in the camaraderie that the participants developed, in the joy and effort that they put in. … Through them people could also see that our beloved Father has infinite love for all,” the deacon said.

Alcocer agreed.

“Not only during Holy Week but all during Lent, Jesus was present in each one of the participants, reminding them of his sacrifice for us. … I think we all were able to demonstrate by example what being a Catholic means and how we can build community,” Alcocer said. “I don’t know if the participants felt this type of call before, but I am sure that now they will put all the noise of the world aside and hear God’s call more clearly; at least I do.”

Both Alcocer and the deacon hope that the live representation will become a tradition.

“All the participants are a blessing for the cathedral. … They showed their commitment to Our Lord, to the Church and to their families,” Deacon Mendez said.